Wedding Words…

 

     Quite recently – most likely, because I am so far behind the times 😉 – I have discovered an auction website names Listia. You can give away items you no longer need or want in exchange for credits that you can then use to get something you see, want or need… Lots of fun, bidding on those auctions, let me tell ya!

     At the beginning, I was wondering what on Earth was I going to list for others to bid on; then I’ve realized that I had quite a few of duplicate Stampin’ Up items (due to the fact that I keep neglecting to add my newest SU purchases to the list I have…lol) So, I went through all my precious “goodies”, took photos and posted them… Yay!!

     This morning, after getting home from work (yeah, we are still working 6 or 7 days a week…), I wanted to list one of SU Jumbo wheel stamps, “Wedding Words” but knew that the stamp would be easier to see if it was put “in action” – so to speak… The result was the above card that used Whisper White and Smoky Slate cardstock and VersaMark and Smoky Slate ink which I have heat embossed with clear embossing powder… A clean and simple card that – in spite of the layers used – it’s quite flat and would not take additional postage to be sent anywhere in the United States…

     Now, I’ve got a fresh pot of coffee brewing and my newest Paper Pumpkin kit waiting for me, so I will go get busy (as, luckily for me, I don’t have to work tonight anymore…lol)

     All y’all be good now 🙂

 

Becoming whole again…

 

Grief can arise from many life situations, but know it is not a permanent state of being.

When we experience any kind of devastating loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one, a dream, or a relationship, feelings may arise within us that are overwhelming or difficult to cope with. This sense of grief can also come up when we are separated from anyone or anything we have welcomed into our lives. And while it may feel like we are caught up in a never-ending spiral of sadness and emptiness, it is important to remember that the grief we are feeling is not a permanent state of being. Rather, grief is part of the process of letting go that in many ways can be a gift, allowing us to go deeper within ourselves to rediscover the light amidst the seeming darkness.

The emotions that accompany any kind of loss can be intense and varied. A sense of shock or denial is often the first reaction, to be replaced by anger. Sometimes this anger can be directed at your loved one for “abandoning” you; at other times you may feel outrage toward the universe for what you are enduring. And while there are stages of grief that people go through – moving from denial to anger to bargaining to depression to acceptance – the cycles of grief often move in spirals, sometimes circling forward and then back again. You may even experience moments of strength, faith, and laughter in between. While these emotions seem to come and go sporadically, it is important to feel them, accept them, and allow them to flow. With time, patience, and compassion, you will eventually find your center again.

As we move through our grief, we may find ourselves reluctant to release our pain, fearing we are letting go of who or what we have lost. We may even regard our movement toward healing as an act of disloyalty or giving up. Know that while the hurt may fade, the essence of what you had and who you loved will have already transformed you and forever stay with you. If anything, once you are ready for the pain of your loss to subside, their memories can then live more fully within you. Remember, that healing is a part of the spiraling cycles of grief, and that in letting yourself feel restored again, you are surrendering to a natural movement that is part of the dance of life.

© 2013 DailyOM

 

Two Hearts as One…

Love is a wonderful reason for celebration…

Lately, with my demanding work schedule, I haven’t had enough energy to devote to my favorite hobby, cross-stitching. And – if by chance – I get to finish a card or two, can’t really muster the will to get them photographed so I can post them. Soooo… I took advantage of having this weekend off (as my plant celebrates its 25th anniversary…), and took photos of my work 🙂

The card was cross-stitched on 14ct white perforated paper, which I have discovered to be much better for my cards. I have used DMC 6 strands Embroidery floss. I guess this card would be easy to customize by a simple color change for the wedding cake, to match those of the wedding party… Hmmm…

The back of the cross-stitching is not showing. The inside of the card is white and had been left blank for a personal message. However, I guess a stamped greeting could be added, something along the lines of “Best Wishes”, “Celebrate” or something similar. The card is 4.25″ by 5.5in, with the cross-stitch area of 2.75in by 4.25in.

Well, I guess I’ll go fix a breakfast of scrambled eggs & toast. Y’all have a wonderful weekend!

 

In my Heart…

     One category of cards I don’t really have enough of is male geared cards… A few days ago, sifting and re-organizing my “Listed Cards” box, I’ve seen lots of flowers and lace, pearls and lots of frou-frou, but besides a couple of “Father’s Day” cards not many masculine cards… Now, we all have a husband, boyfriend, father brother – or just a male friend that has an upcoming birthday… Or maybe we just want to say Thank You to the guy next door that helped us change the flat tire last weekend… Well, you get the idea…

     So, I’ve decided to work and list some “manly” cards in my shop in the next couple of weeks. I’ve started working on them last weekend, but I was less than a week after my carpal tunnel and lateral epicondylitis in my left wrist and elbow and I was not as productive as I expected myself to be.

     However, I did finish and list one of the cards, “In my Heart“. The card was hand stamped on kraft cardstock and layered on dark chocolate-brown. One of my favorite Stampin’ Up DSP, Mocha Morning, has been used to accent the kraft cardstock base, as well as the card band. A perfect card for the man in your life, to let him know he is in your mind always… The card is a standard A2 (4 1/4 in by 5 1/2 in) and it comes with a cream envelope. The cream insert was left blank, ready for your added thoughts and sentiments…

Supplies are all Stampin’ Up, unless otherwise noted: Cardstock Crumb Cake #120953, Early Expresso #119686; DSP Mocha Morning #122366; Ink Early Expresso #119670; Stamps Word Play #120651; Punch Ticket Corner #119867; Envelope Very Vanilla #107300; Accessories copper brads, snail adhesive.

 

52 Weeks of Mail

     Hello, everyone! It’s so good to be back home, after a brief hospital stay – my very first since the birth of my son, almost 28 years ago… Not too happy with the discomfort (who would be, I wonder…), and having to walk around holding on to my belly is hardly qualifying as “atractive”, but I am home, I did well and I am recovering a bit each day… But I’m digressing…

     You might not know, but World Post Day is coming October 9th, marking the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s establishment in 1874. The union aimed to create and maintain a structure for the free flow of international mail around the world.

     I don’t know about you, but I LOVE receiving mail the old fashioned way. Not that I don’t enjoy the Internet, or find that the speed of email is effective and useful at some point – but I am thrilled when I get my mail from the box and find a bit more that bills and/or junk mail… A greeting card or a personal note, it makes me feel… special. Anything handwritten is a deeply personal and involved activity, as a bit of yourself is shared with many others, that share themselves with you… Maybe that is why I love Christmas so much 🙂

     The Etsy Greetings Team, a collection of over 100 artists from all over the globe who collaborate to promote the art and craft of card making, is celebrating World Post Day by issuing a challenge that we are calling 52 Weeks of Mail. This idea sprung from one member’s desire to keep in touch better with friends and loved ones, and to be intentional about relationships. The idea is for people to commit to sending at least one personal note, card, letter, or postcard to people they know, once a week for a year. Of course, you can send MORE than one, but that’s up to you. Just think how happy this will make the Postal Services around to the world—not to mention those old friends!!

     Here are three ways you can participate: read full article here.

     For some wonderful greeting cards, check out this treasury of my fellow talented Etsygreetings team members here at www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com. Happy correspondence to all!